Lying about kid's age?

[nedleycan]

We were on the Wonder on Dec 1 with our children DD 5.5 yo and DS 2 months short of 4 yo. He found the kid's club to be a little babyish for him (he was in the 3 - 4 year old). He would have preferred to be in his sister's group of 5 - 7 year olds. He has always gone to school with older kids (that is how Montessori works), so when he was 2.5, he was in the same class with kids who were almost 6.
We will be using our 50% off voucher next November (we have been told by Disney that we have to use it in 2003) and he will then be 2 months short of 5 yo and will have to be in the 3-4 year old group again. I can only imagine how boring that will be for him. Is there any way to lie about his age? His birthday is January 24th, so we really can't get any closer than 6 weeks before his birthday, since Christmas and New Year's are blacked out for us.
Any advise? Have they ever made exceptions of 2 months (I have heard that they will allow kids to move up if they are within 1 month of their birthday)?
Thanks!

 

[brittsmum1998]

I thought it was two months shy of their b-day?

 

[Michelemouse]

DCL will already know his birthday because you provide his birth certificate. I would simply explain that you would like him to try the older group and why (asking for a manager if you need to). I have heard that official policy is the "within one month" rule but that others in your situation who have asked for a "trial run" have been allowed to move their kids up an age level.

Hope this helps.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

will you be on the Nov 29 cruise with Tom?

 

[nedleycan]

Thanks for all the quick responses!
Barb, no, I don't think so. That is a really bad time of year for me at work (as I found out this year - haha). We will probably do the November 15th Eastern. Is that U.S. Thanksgiving? I don't want that, not because I am anti-U.S. Thanksgiving, but because of the crowds and the festivities that have nothing to do with me (our Thanksgiving is early October).
Thanks again guys!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

we'll be coming off the ship as you board - we're scheduled on the Nov 8 Western - DS will only need to miss 4days school as there is a holiday (Veterans Day) that week. We'll be onboard ship on my actual birthday too. We upgraded to a verandah on deck 6

Thanksgiving is Nov 27 next year

by the way - you need to change the tag under your name - sorry we didnt get a chance to meet - I think looking forward to meeting everyone was a major reason I was so bummed about the cruise cancelling

 

[nedleycan]

I know about the tag... just can't seem to change it. I think I will change it when we re-book in the new year.
Thanks for the info re: Thanksgiving!

 

[pigelet]

My daughter was 2 weeks shy of her 5th birthday. They gave her her choice of what she wanted to do. They told her she could try the older group and if she liked it she would be locked in for the week. She was looking to play dress-up and was told she would do more of what she wanted to do with the younger kids. She choose to stay w/ the 3 -4 year olds. She was given the option to move up but she was very content where she was. She did not think it was babyish at all. Boys and girls are different. 2 weeks and two months are also different. Do not lie beacause everything is in the computer. Trust me! I did it on another cruise line and was mortified!!!!
My DD4 goes to Montessori, too, he will be in with his age group. Montessori is so good but in situations like this it makes it hard.

 

[Cindyluwho]

On our 2001 cruise our daughter was 3 months shy of her birthday and they did not have a problem with her moving up into the other age group. She started out in the younger group and was bored and there wasn't even the slightest problem with moving her up. The CMs in the lab are great and very accomodating. They don't, however, want you moving the child back and forth between age groups-they are very firm about that. AFter sailing with Disney twice I can honestly say that they will do anything you ask, as long as it within their means. They go out of their way to help and are some of the friendliest, most amazing people I've ever met! Relax, and enjoy planning for your trip, I guarantee you it will be wonderful.

 

[howardk613]

On our last cruise (11/2/2002) our granddaughter was 2 years and 6 months old. We asked if she could join the 3 - 4 year olds
(she is potty trained and very independant) and they said that we could give her a try with the older group. She was fine and she stayed with that group for the rest of the cruise. The people
at the club were very accomodating and she had a great time
there.

 

[Wishing on a star]

To me, a 'trial run' means that they will let the child move back to the original age group that they would normally be in??? I see that they do not like to let the kids move back and forth... But, how can it be a 'trial run' if the kid is then locked in to the older or younger group? I was thinking about possibly putting DS in with younger group, but want to be assured that he can return to his original age group if we want...

Anybody switched back, ( just the one switch, not switching back and forth....)

PS: I am going to also post this on the thread for Let's share info about kids clubs.

Thanks!

 

[nedleycan]

The trail run happens, then you see if you want to switch them to their appropriate age group. They just don't want people switching their kids back and forth based on the activities, etc.